ANGLO-FRENCH HORSEMANSHIP 



toe being slightly out as when walking. The 

 horse will show greater or less sensibility, 

 according as the legs touch him below the 

 " swell " of the ribs, or against it, on the flanks, 

 or just behind the girths. Consequently, the 

 effect of the legs increases as the pressure is 

 applied by their lower parts ; the pressure of 

 the thighs and knees has practically no disturb- 

 ing effect upon the horse, that of the calves 

 influences him sufficiently for ordinary work, 

 but when it is necessary to thoroughly rouse 

 his energy the lowest parts of the legs and 

 the heels should feel the sides. Grip, when 

 necessary to secure the seat, should be applied 

 by the sides of the knees, and the side of the 

 upper part of the calves ; the touch of the 

 knees and legs being otherwise light, they 

 should feel the horse, not squeeze him, except 

 when punishment is called for, in which case, 

 as M. Barroil says, they should embrace the 

 horse from knees to heels. Gentleness in the 

 use of the legs is as essential as in the case of 

 the hands, and one should constantly strive to 

 use the minimum of force, and should remove 

 the pressure the moment the horse answers to 

 it. The bearing on the stirrup irons should 

 be light ; the moment the rider feels that he is 

 pressing on them, he should slightly bend his 



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